So the size of the building or the persons involved in its
construction were not known with certainty.

Bustuh
believed and so does Mama that the most prominent person involved
in Jerusalemís history

was the the Reverend William Bassett, who
at one point owned most of the land in the area.

Bassett, probably
a mulatto, was Jerusalemís first minister.

Letters of an Abiding Faith:

Legacy of a Slave's GrandDaughter to
her Son

written by Ella Lewis to her Son
(Rudolph Lewis)

* * * * *

Letter 25

December 8, 1983

Dear Son,

Just a line or two, let you know I received your
letter. Glade to hear from you and know you was doing OK. As for
my self my Cold is Better But I been out sick. I am still under
the Doctor. It getting cold down here now. We had lot of rain. All
send love to you. Sistuh Been in hospital she out now doing OK. I
sure was looking For you Being here For Xmas. But I know how it
is. Times is hard and look like it getting worse.

Well Von Carter have started on his house. He
building over by Clint's house.* I went to Church last Sunday. Had
a nice Time. The Church in Southampton where we went when you was
here. Dont wait so long Before you rite. I am trying to give you
answer to your Question the best I know how.

We had another shocking death. Tad Mason died
Buried Sunday which was the 4th of Dec. He died in sleep.** Well
no Body is coming home Xmas. I guess it Be a dull Xmas May the
good Lord Bless and keep you until we meet again. I do hope you
take care of your self. Keep praying. I praying For you too.

I love you

Mother

* * * * *

Commentary

*Von Carter, son of Susie, had lived in a
trailer up on 301 in Jarratt with his wife and kids. With the
countryís new federal housing programs, new houses built by
professional contractors were springing up all over Jarratt. His
brother Clint with his wife Jane and their kids had been living in
their house for sometime on the Cary Mason Road.

**Tad Mason was a member of the large Mason
clan. They were prominent member of Jerusalem Baptist Church. John
"Bustuh" Mason, a carpenter and father of John
"Pudding" Mason (a former schoolmate), believed that
Mamaís grandmother Fannie Mason, wife of Sam Williams (both
former slaves), was related to this family. They often in a
playful tease referred to each other as "cuz."

It was through visits that Bustuh Mason had with
Mama that I gained further affirmations about the history of
Jerusalem Baptist Church. He too knew of the old Jerusalem, which
had been built before the present edifice. He too knew of it only
through word of mouth. So the size of the building or the persons
involved in its construction were not known with certainty. Bustuh
believed and so does Mama that the most prominent person involved
in Jerusalemís history was the the Reverend William Bassett, who
at one point owned most of the land in the area. Bassett, probably
a mulatto, was Jerusalemís first minister.

Bassett seemed to have come into conflict with
the deacons of Jerusalem. For, it seems, he led a portion of the
members out of Jerusalem and established Hasiadiah Baptist up near
Route 301, closer to the township of Jarratt. His burial site at
Hasiadiah makes clear he was a noteworthy personality. For no
Negro in the area was ever buried with the grave enclosed by an
iron wrought fence, nor with a four-foot headstone. For some
reason or another the church has allowed his grave site to go to
weeds and disrepair. But this negligence is the natural outcome
for those who have little or no appreciation for their history. or
maybe it is emblematic on a long-standing and unstated and
unremembered conflict between the former minister and the members
of Hasiadiah that has yet to be resolved, even over a century
after his death